Jane E. Mahalak, age 80 of Greenville, SC, formerly of Monroe, passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2021 in her home.
Born July 8, 1941 in Wyandotte, MI, Jane was the daughter of the late John and Harriet (Raubolt) Navarre. She graduated from St. Patrick High School in Wyandotte in 1959 and married Ralph E. Mahalak on October 29, 1960 in Wyandotte. Together they raised five children. Sadly, Ralph preceded her in death on June 6, 2017.
While residing in Monroe, Jane was a member of St. John The Baptist Catholic Church and Monroe Golf & Country Club. She was a former member of Birchwood Country Club in Harbor Springs, MI and St. Paul Catholic Church in Lighthouse Point, FL.
An avid sports fan, especially of St. Mary Catholic Central Football, Jane fiercely cheered for all of her children's and grandchildren's sporting events. She enjoyed deep-sea fishing, playing cards and golfing. She was known for her spirit of life and treasured God and family above all.
Jane is survived by her five children: Ralph (Joan) Mahalak of Monroe, Mike (Janine) Mahalak of Winter Haven, FL, JP (Joanie) Mahalak of Monroe, Monica (Mike) Hovart of Greenville, SC, and Alex (Krista) Mahalak of Winter Haven, FL; 14 grandchildren: Anna Costanzo, RJ, Matt, Delaney, Savannah, Maguire, Nicholas, Alec, Madden and Ziggy Mahalak, Rak, Mallory, Meredith and Jack Hovart; 2 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gail Schaefer of Plymouth, MI and Mary (Dan) Wiggen of Palm Coast, FL; and her pet dog Samantha, who was always at her side..
In addition to her parents and husband Ralph, Jane is also preceded in death by two brothers, George Navarre and her twin-brother, John Navarre; and a sister, Nanette Navarre.
Family and friends may visit from 12-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9th at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, MI 48161. Jane will lie in state at 10 a.m. Friday at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church. Mass of the Resurrection celebrating her life will begin at 11 a.m. The church pastor, Rev. Fr. David Burgard and her cousin, Rev. Fr. Terrence Kerner will concelebrate. Jane will be interred next to her loving husband, Ralph, Sr. at St. Rita's Church columbarium in Clark Lake at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests supporting the Ralph E. Mahalak Memorial Scholarship Fund at Monroe County Community College. www.monroeccc.edu/foundation/janemahalak